Letters of Interpretation

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Each letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed.

Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information.

These letters of interpretation and the standards they address may not apply to OSHA State Plans. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or additional requirements. Please see OSHA-approved State Plans for more information.

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Date Title Standard Number
Favorable Review Commission Decision.
Automatic return attachments on radial saws 1910.213
Employees who design and engineer hazardous waste facilities and their coverage under 1910.120. 1910.120
The obligations and responsibilities of machine manufacturers under the lockout/tagout standard. 1910.147, 1910.147(c)(2)(iii)
Permanent handrail on platform inside a chimney or silo 1910.22(b)(4), 1910.23(a)(8)
Proper wheel radius in manually propelled carriage to comply with 40 pound limit for horizontal force 1910.66(f)(3)(i)(C)
A rescue team is required during all phases of underground construction operations in a tunnel. 1926.800(g)(5)
Machine Guarding 1910.212(a)(1)
Guidelines for First Aid Training Programs. 1910.151, 1926.50, 1915.98, 1918.97, 1917.26
The excessive space required on job sites to comply with the posting of various posters mandated by Federal law. 1903.2(a)(3)
Clarification of OSHA standard on Overhead and Gantry Cranes 1910.179
Protection from hazards of bloodborne pathogens in dentistry
Use of thermoplastic pipe in above ground locations
Training requirements for post-emergency response operations 1910.120(q)(11)(ii), 1910.1200
Respirators for fire-fighters. 1910.156(b)(2), 1910.156(c)
Application of the OSHA standards 1910 and 1926 to "Operating Plant Services" 1910 - Table of Contents, 1926 - Table of Contents
Applicability of 1910.120(p)(2) to a RCRA TSD hazardous waste site handling PCB's 1910.120(p)(2), 1910.1200(b)(6)(i)
Maintenance employees having regular duties in permitted areas are covered by 1910.120(p) 1910.120(p), 1910.1200
OSHA standards that may apply to monorail systems and underhung cranes.
Investigation conducted by OSHA at the Houston Chemical Complex. 1903.17(a)